Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Golden Correct Answer
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Adults are all liars.
What was that crap about "just go," "just show up," "honestly, we'll go and do some ass-kissing and throw our weight around"?
The moment I open the door and they call my name, holy shit, 【Imperial Bloodline】 kicks in?
Oh, her.
I know her. I know her damn well.
Ah, sorry, really. What're you glaring at me like that for?
Good things are good things, right?
Still, sitting next to you means no magic's gonna come flying my way immediately. You could get dragged in too—surely they won't come at us with swords or spells, right? Haha. That's what same blood means.
Perfect, the seat next to you is empty. Hey, let's sit there. Yeah? That's fine, right? Haha. As expected of Eve. Such a big heart.
Alright. Bloodline superior, taking the seat next to her. That's fine, yeah?
"You're insane. You. You planning to ruin this whole event? Is this part of your scheme too? You know this is a ball hosted by the Ciela family, right?"
Eve's nagging from the side. Got it. I get it all, okay? Ah, seriously, hear me out—I have my reasons too.
But why do you have to look so smug? It pisses me off. Let me live a little.
Ugh. Hold it. Hold it together, my middle finger. If I flip you off here, Eve's light spear will hit my solar plexus before anyone else's sword or spell. Gotta hold back.
Okay. I'll back off here. For real. It's because Wolfram von Yi Young-jin is such a nice guy. Haha. Back in my convenience store slaughterhouse super Young-jin days, I couldn't even dream of this. You know that?
I stand from my seat and toss out some lip-service lines. So, I hope Eve monopolizes the student council presidency for a thousand years. Hell, even into grad school. Glory to the reign of Eve von Loengrin! Hooray, hooray, hip hip hooray!
Something like that, then I sit back down.
Phew. Now my stomach feels settled.
Sorry to Aila, but tonight she's on her own rampage duty, so I'll just sit here in this chair and watch everyone enjoy themselves.
This is humanity's guardian.
The majesty of those who inherit that blood.
Everyone present bowed in submission.
It felt like even lifting their heads, let alone breathing or simply existing there, required permission.
Between the two thrones and the nobles, there were merely two steps.
Those two steps dividing the central hall from the dais seemed to symbolize one for the soul, one for the body.
This is the gulf between you and us.
Unless you transcend both body and soul to elevate your very existence, dare not approach.
The reason they bowed their heads.
To Eve, it was courtesy and faith.
But to Wolfram von Loengrin, it turned to fear and terror.
Is that the overwhelming pressure from the bloodline that governs all living beings in the human realm?
"【I heard this was a ball, yet no music plays.】"
At those words, the musicians hurriedly began to play.
"【Will no one dance?】"
Suddenly, someone started dancing with another.
"【Smile. Is this not a joyous occasion?】"
They forced smiles to liven up the mood.
Not even Eve von Loengrin was the star of this moment.
The ball continued as puppets whose intentions were thoroughly crushed.
Phew.
Now that the mood's relaxed, they're dancing, singing, laughing—looks fun.
If nobles are throwing a ball, they ought to enjoy it properly.
Don't mind me and have your fun. Please, stop paying attention to me.
"So, what are you here for? What do you plan to do by flipping the whole table like this?"
"【Who says I flipped the table? I declared my support for you, and I've even lightened the mood.】"
"You're completely off your rocker. Or are you just messing with me?"
"【Tch. That's why those who can't grasp consideration...】"
"You really won't die easy."
Hmm.
This is pretty interesting.
Even with Imperial Bloodline active, talking to Eve doesn't trigger auto-counter, and she doesn't feel oppressed by me at all.
"So? What's your real intention?"
"【Is that what you want to hear?】"
"You crashed a ball for me, so yeah, I deserve to know."
"【Fair enough. It's simple. The Trista family is aiming for central advancement.】"
"......So you're going to let Aila Trista take over my ball and settle it with brute force? What about the fallout?"
"【If I pressure them in the name of Loengrin, I can shield you. And considering the shady, petty schemes the Ciela family has pulled on Trista so far, isn't this barely a scratch?】"
"......Normally, yeah. Fine. I don't want to clash with Trista over this either, so I'll let it slide."
"【Wise.】"
"I'm letting you slide and stepping over your grave."
Such a scary thing to say?
"Half-joking. You declaring support for me is real anyway—makes my reign easier."
"【Hmph. Not for you. For my own ambitions.】"
"Anyway, why'd you bring Patrascheu?"
"【Obviously,】 in case you sense danger to yourself."
"Ah. That makes sense."
Ah. Imperial Bloodline wore off.
"Wolfram. Wolfram von Loengrin. I'm grateful you publicly supported me. So shut up for exactly 30 seconds until I finish thinking."
"......"
"...Hmm. Count Trista is rallying the west and pushing for the center. Wolfram von Loengrin backs Eve von Loengrin. So the conclusion here is... Aha. Got it. Okay, thinking done—talk."
"What?"
"With you supporting me, and your fiancée from the Trista family, the nobles will think I can put you... and your fiancée's family under my thumb anytime."
"That's not true, but..."
"If everyone believes it, public opinion makes it true."
"I support you, and Trista falls under you. What variable from that do you want to talk about?"
"Wouldn't one family get really uncomfortable?"
Aha.
I see.
"You'll earn the Ciela family's grudge."
"You'll definitely earn the Ciela family's grudge."
That's.
Truly terrifying.
I rise from the throne and descend the steps.
"Debt's cleared now. Got it?"
"Of course. We were never the type to owe each other—better to cut out our tongues first."
With that, we shared light laughs and even lighter middle fingers.
Insane.
I didn't think of that.
This party's host is none other than Regina Cielra.
It's not the Ciela family that's scary—it's that Regina Cielra.
If she corners me with her swamp magic and crushes me with mana fists, jokes won't save me even with Imperial Bloodline.
Kelters' bad end was exactly that.
'Regina manipulating Kelters' hand with magic to make him choke himself.'
'Regina stabbing Kelters' heart with a dagger at the same time.'
'The two collapsing in a paradise of pians blooming like flowers, dyed the same color.'
I.
Am not.
Going through that!
"Absolutely not."
I quickly scan for Regina Cielra.
"...Wolfram, Your Highness. I hope you are... well."
"......Yeah."
Sunken eyes. Lifeless voice.
That glint in her eyes is probably stage 3.
Two more stages, and someone dies.
And it'll probably be me.
"Magnificent, Your Highness Wolfram. You've now publicly allied with Princess Eve von Loengrin before all under heaven, and Trista will swiftly deal with the Ciela family."
"That's how it looks?"
"Yes. This means I'll be discarded by the Ciela family. Defeated in finals too. My last hope—connection to Princess Eve von Loengrin—is gone. My support base in the family is utterly collapsed."
"......I see."
"So cruel. Because you're that kind of person, beyond my reach... that's why I..."
No.
Don't say any more.
Please.
【Kelters. You're a cruel man.】
In canon, that line triggers stage 4.
I didn't clear it much, so memory's fuzzy, but there was definitely a solution.
So...
Ah. Right.
"Regina Cielra."
"Wh-what did you just call me...?"
"Didn't I tell you before? To call you by name."
"Why now, in this situation...? Ah, no, surely this is your final mercy—commanding me to end it myself...?"
"Don't talk nonsense."
This girl's acceleration is no joke.
"Then why call my name now, severing all my hopes...?"
Well, uh...
Don't wanna die?
But say that, and she might kill me tonight.
So... combining the fragments of Regina Cielra info in me.
"It's my own form of respect for my greatest rival."
"......Greatest... rival?"
Eve von Loengrin inferiority complex overflowing... and what else? Anyway, a rich girl desperate for recognition, wanting all the love and monopoly to herself. That's what I remember.
If that goes wrong, she stabs with a knife and offs herself. No idea what twisted a pampered young lady like that so bad. Rich girl psychology is beyond me.
But.
I may not understand, but I remember the 'setting bible.'
So. Won't acknowledging her make her happy?
"Isn't it? Student tournament finals. Midterm practicals. Academy ball. Finals. And right now. All ended in my victories, but they were fun battles of wits."
"You... saw me as a rival...?"
Oh.
Her eyes teetered toward stage 4 but stopped at 3.
Good. It's working.
"A truly enjoyable game. You were a worthy opponent. Though it ended in my win."
"......"
"Next time, an even better game awaits, right?"
At my words, Regina Cielra's fists clench tight.
And her eyes clear up.
That's stage 2... Hmm. Safe enough.
"...I see. Next time. Yes. There will be a next game."
"That's the look. Entertain me more."
"Then calling my name today... is a reward for amusing you, Your Highness. Pity for the loser."
"Do as you like. Regina Cielra."
"......Yes. Then, I dare to make a request, Your Highness."
"Speak."
"I've lost every time. I can't fathom how to beat your genius mind reaching the heavens. ...So when I win, I want a reward."
"Fine. What reward?"
"Can I decide that when I win?"
No. Scary. Hate it.
But refusing here would cloud her eyes again?
"Do as you like."
"Yes. I will."
No, wait.
Not too much as you like.
I part ways with Regina and return to my seat, letting out a long sigh of relief.
Eve stares at me with wide eyes.
"W-Wolfram...?"
"What."
"What was that conversation just now?"
"You heard?"
"I did. What do you take my magic for? ...How does someone completely conquer another person in three minutes...?"
"What? Nothing big. Just solved a minor issue somehow."
"...I guarantee you solved nothing."
What're you talking about.
I solved everything.
Everything, no matter how I think about it.